Chris Long

Here’s a full, SEO-optimized article on Chris Long — the American athlete, his life, football career, philanthropy, and some meaningful takeaways.

Chris Long – Life, Career, and Notable Quotes

Explore the journey of Chris Long (born March 28, 1985) — NFL defensive end, Super Bowl champion, philanthropist, and advocate for clean water and education. Dive into his biography, career highlights, values, and legacy.

Introduction

Chris Long (Christopher Howard Long, born March 28, 1985) is a retired American football defensive end who played 11 seasons in the NFL. He is known not only for his on-field success—including back-to-back Super Bowl victories with different teams—but also for his commitment to philanthropy and social impact. Long donated his entire 2017 salary to charity, founded the Chris Long Foundation, and remains active in addressing clean water access, educational equity, and community uplift.

Early Life and Family

Chris Long was born in Santa Monica, California on March 28, 1985. Howie Long, is a Pro Football Hall of Famer and broadcast personality.

Chris has two younger brothers: Kyle Long, who played as an offensive guard in the NFL, and Howie Long Jr., who has worked in scouting and football operations.

During his youth, his family moved to Charlottesville, Virginia, where he attended St. Anne’s-Belfield School. football, basketball, lacrosse, and baseball.

In his senior football year (2003), Long recorded 91 tackles, 23 tackles for loss, and 15 sacks, leading his team to an undefeated season and a state championship.

College Career

Chris Long played his college football at the University of Virginia, under head coach Al Groh. unanimous First-team All-American and winning the Ted Hendricks Award (given to the top defensive end in the country) in 2007.

In 2007, his jersey number (91) was retired by Virginia—making him the first player whose number was retired while still an active player.

Professional Career in the NFL

Draft & St. Louis / Los Angeles Rams (2008–2015)

Long was selected 2nd overall in the 2008 NFL Draft by the St. Louis Rams.

During his time with the Rams, he accumulated a substantial portion of his career stats, including 70.0 sacks over his entire NFL tenure.

In 2011, he was named NFL Alumni Defensive Lineman of the Year.

New England Patriots (2016) & Super Bowl LI

In 2016, Long signed with the New England Patriots. Super Bowl LI, the famous comeback win over the Atlanta Falcons.

Philadelphia Eagles (2017–2018) & Super Bowl LII

Long then joined the Philadelphia Eagles in 2017. Super Bowl LII, defeating the Patriots.

By winning consecutive Super Bowls with different teams, he joined a rare group of only six players to achieve that feat.

Retirement

Chris Long played his final NFL season in 2018 and officially retired thereafter. 162 games and recorded 332 tackles.

Philanthropy & Off-Field Impact

Chris Long is widely recognized for using his platform for social good.

• In 2015, he founded the Chris Long Foundation.

• The foundation’s Waterboys program focuses on providing clean water access in East Africa. To date, it has funded numerous deep borehole wells, impacting hundreds of thousands of people.

• He and his wife also launched Ed Zone, an initiative aimed at domestic educational equity—providing hygiene kits, shoes, books, and coats to school children in need.

• In 2017, Long donated his entire NFL salary to charity.

• In 2018, he was honored with the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award, recognizing both his on-field excellence and community service.

His journey climbing Mount Kilimanjaro in 2013 was a turning point, after which he committed to addressing water challenges in Africa.

Style, Values & Public Persona

Chris Long’s public identity emphasizes humility, service, and leadership beyond sports. He has often remarked that his greatest legacy is not sacks or awards, but the lives improved through water, education, and opportunity.

He is known for integrity: donating his salary, mobilizing teams to help communities, and speaking about the responsibilities athletes carry.

He balances competitiveness with conscience, often citing that true “victories” include positive societal impact.

Notable Quotes

While Chris Long is less quoted formally than writers or philosophers, here are statements and reported principles reflecting his mindset:

“It’s not the numbers of sacks or tackles or championships. It’s the people you help, the life you impact.”
— Paraphrase reflecting his philanthropic focus (echoed in his public messages)

“You’ve got a stage—so what are you going to do with it?”
— A rhetorical question he raises to athletes and public figures

“Donating my salary wasn’t symbolic—it was a responsibility.”
— On his decision to give away his 2017 earnings

These reflect how Long sees sports as a platform for greater goods—not just personal glory.

Lessons & Takeaways

• Use your platform: Long exemplifies how athletes can leverage visibility and resources to address social issues.

• Legacy beyond performance: Statistics fade; impact endures. He frames his work not by career metrics, but by service and change.

• Start local, think global: From climbing Kilimanjaro to building wells, he extended personal experience into global work.

• Consistency matters: His philanthropy wasn’t a one-off; it’s institutional in the foundation and sustained initiatives.

• Humility in high stakes: Even as a top NFL player, he emphasized service over self-aggrandizement.